Mak Besar Bee bt Md Joonos

Mak Besar Bee is Dr Che Lah's eldest and only sister. Mak Besar Bee was possibly born in 1901. Dr Che Lah was born in 1903.

Mak Besar Bee is in a group photo for my mother's send-off at Port Swettenham in Klang, Selangor.

Below is a group photo taken in 1952 on the deck of the ship Carthage, at Port Swettenham (now Port Klang) in Klang, Selangor. Mak Besar Bee is at far left. This photo shows that Mak Besar Bee was still alive in 1952 and had a few daughters, mostly about my mother's age (21).

Standing from left: Mak Besar Bee bt Md Joonos, little girl, lady with black selendang on shoulder, lady with selendang like a tie in front, Khala Wan Chik, Kalsom, June and (Tulip?). Esther is kneeling.  This photo was taken on the deck of Carthage, at Port Swettenham, now Port Klang. The occasion was Tulip's send-off to England. Tulip went to study at Kirkby.

----------------------

Communication in Facebook on 11 and 12 June 2017:

Esther Schokman

Esther Schokman kneeling, June standing behind her and Tulip to the left of June.

Lisa Jansz 

Jenny Laughton

Esther Schokman 

Extreme left, Aunty Besar. 5th from left is Wan Cik. On her left is Kalsom and June. 

This on the deck of the ship in Port Swettenham, now known as Port Klang.

Faridah Abdul Rashid 

Which Kalsom is this?

Esther Schokman 

I think this Kalsom is Aunty Besar's eldest daughter, but I'm not sure. 

She always comes with Wan Tam n Wan CHIK to visit us in Port Dickson. 

After dinner they tell us all sorts of stories. 

That's all I can remember.

Faridah Abdul Rashid 

TQVM for your information.

Suzanne Schokman · 3 mutual friends

Pretty lass, Auntie Esther!

Auntie Besar... sounds like a good story there.

Faridah Abdul Rashid 

Aunty Besar is Mak Besar Bee, Dr Che Lah's eldest and only sister. 

If she was born in 1901, then she would be about 51 years old in 1952.

Faridah Abdul Rashid 

Did Aunty Besar live in Kg Sg Gelugor in Penang? Yes. There is a photo taken of her wooden house in Kg Sg Gelugor in 1952, with Dr Che Lah on the verandah and his and her children in the foreground.

Esther Schokman 

Aunty Besar Iived there as her husband was teaching in the nearby school, is that correct? 

Kalsom, isn't she one of Aunty Besar's daughters? 

She was always with Wantum n Wancik whenever they visited us. 

Especially when my father was attached to the Military Malay Regiment in Port Dickson as the Medical Officer.

Faridah Abdul Rashid 

I don't know as I haven't heard of Kalsom's name. 

Faridah Abdul Rashid 

Why do they have "Wan" in their names?

Faridah Abdul Rashid 

Wan Tam is Mami Tam? What is her real name?

Faridah Abdul Rashid 

Aunty Besar Bee bt Md Joonos married Omar bin Nasarudin and had 4 kids - Abu Hassan, Khala Wan Chik, Mami Tam and Ibrahim (Naim).

Faridah Abdul Rashid 

I don't know the real names of Aunty Besar Bee and Mami Tam.

Faridah Abdul Rashid 

Aunty Esther Schokman, would you know when Aunty Besar Bee, her husband and children were born or died?

===================

Abdul Mutalib Wahab

Sorry to interrupt you (Faridah Abdul Rashid) did mentioned just now that Kg. Sg. Gelugor was something special.

In fact my late mom (Zainab Bee bt.SA Md. Noor) was born there and had her education there. 

She had relative by the name of Pak Daud, a penghulu. 

Wan Pah (with blonde hair) was Abd. Kadir's first wife and many more I cannot remember.

Faridah Abdul Rashid

TQ, Uncle. It is great to know that Nenek Zainab Bee was born in Kg Sg Gelugor and went to Sek Melayu Sg Gelugor. 

Pak Daud's son is Dahlan, whom I met at my father's funeral in 2009.

Mohd Ebram bin Nasarudin married (Singapore wife) -- second wife. Their daughter is Wan Pah.

Faridah Abdul Rashid

Who is Abdul Kadir?

Abdul Mutalib Wahab

Abdul Kadir is my mother's brother. He is Capt. Mohd Noor's son from first wife, Wan Teh. 

Pls follow their sibling that I have given you. 

Abdul Kadir then married Wan Chik his second wife. 

Abdul Kadir is a respected person in Glugor, he was a Glugor Councillor.

Abdul Mutalib Wahab

Sad to say otherwise we would have move back staying in Pg. 

As u know after my parent's marriage they migrated to Kedah.

My father worked at PWD as a 'pelukis plan rumah' draftsman.

When my father retired my mom was eager of buying a house in Gelugor. 

We approached Kadir to buy a double-storey house at Minden Heights (if not mistaken follow the road from Glugor Clinic).

The house construction was nearly completed. We only threw a small amount of down payment. 

The developer kept on asking for progressive payment. 

As you know not an easy huge some of money to be drawn out easily. 

So what happened, our down payment was burnt and the house went to another person on the waiting list. 

Otherwise we would be staying around Dr Che Lah's house.

Abdul Mutalib Wahab

Allah is great. In exchange after failure of buying a house in Pg, we managed to buy a piece of land in Sg. Petani, Kedah. 

After sub-dividing it consists of 5 housing plots. Wow! Its market value now is very costly. 

Everybody of my brothers and sisters started making houses there.

==========

Faridah Abdul Rashid 

When I lived in Penang, I saw 2 relatives. One was a woman who dyed her shoulder-length hair orange with inai (henna). 

She was very attractive. She would walk by the roadside from Kg Sg Gelugor towards the Masjid. 

Then there was a very old man with songkok - Ali or Ali Baba? I don't know them.

Faridah Abdul Rashid 

There was a relative called Aunty Betty. She came to visit my grandfather. We walked in the garden. 

It was interesting because my grandfather had a small dog, also named Betty. Who is Aunty Betty?

Abdul Mutalib Wahab 

Aunty Betty is Hayati Meah's wife. Hayati Meah is my uncle, my mum's brother.

Faridah Abdul Rashid 

I see. TQ for your information.

==========

Abdul Mutalib Wahab 

I guess either Esther Schokman or Suzanne Schokman can recollect something about Capt. SA Mohd. Noor's family. 

My aunty's (Zahora Bee) husband Abu Hassan was from Gelugor too. Later, he joined the British Army and settled there.

Esther Schokman 

I don't think Suzanne Schokman knows anything about relatives in Sg Glugor. 

Only my sisters would often go there during our younger days.

Aunty Besar's house is where my father can be seen behind the group picture. 

Aunty Zohara n Uncle Abu Hassan was in Singapore when I first remember them.

They were staying in Pulau Blakangmati, where my mother's sister Aunt Sheila n Uncle Rudge lived on Pulau Blakangmati. 

Their daughter Farida Abu Hassan was then a small girl. 

I think Aunty Zohara had a brother named Rahim, not very sure. Can you remember?

Md Al-Jeffrey Schokman 

Salam Abdul Mutalib Wahab. Faridah Abu Hassan stays in Taman Permata, Selangor now. I am in touch with her often.

Abdul Mutalib Wahab 

You're right, Esther Schokman.

Abd. Rahim bin SA Mohd. Noor is my uncle. There are 6 in a family from Capt. Mohd. Noor's first wife. 

Owh u know Zahora's daughter Dato Faridah Abu Hassan. Ya, she stays in Tmn Permata KL.

Abdul Mutalib Wahab 

It's great! Thanks to know both of you, Esther and Md. Al- Jeffrey.

Md Al-Jeffrey Schokman 

Likewise

=============

Abdul Mutalib Wahab 

Sorry. Abu Hassan joined the British Army and settled in Singapore.

Abdul Mutalib Wahab 

I started guessing who is Aunty Besar Bee married to Omar bin Nasarudin?

Am I wrong Abu Hassan is Omar's son? 

Because Abu Hassan surname is Omar too?

Esther Schokman 

Abu Hassan is Aunty Besar's son, n Dr Che Lah's nephew.

Abdul Mutalib Wahab 

That's why Abu Hassan face is similar to Dr. Che Lah.

Faridah Abdul Rashid 

Has anyone got a photo of Abu Hassan?

Abdul Mutalib Wahab 

Why not contact Jeff?

Esther Schokman 

Maybe his daughter may have some photos of her father and her family members. 

Farida as I know her as Fairy when we were kids were wonderful days/years on Pulau Blakangmati. 

Abu Hassan was a Sargent in the British Army. 

She should be having some photos of us as kids.

Faridah Abdul Rashid 

Abu Hassan bin Omar is Aunty Besar's son. 

Aunty Besar is the eldest and only sister of Dr Che Lah. 

Abu Hassan is Dr Che Lah's nephew.

=================

Esther Schokman Kalsom 

Isn't yo Wan Tum n Wan Chik is to the left of them. The rest may be Katijah n the other I can't remember. 

I hope u can find out from Din, not sure. He might have more photos of our families.

Faridah Abdul Rashid 

Kamaruddin Che Lah, need your help to ID people in the photo.

Faridah Abdul Rashid 

Who is Khatijah?

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The British East India Company in Penang

INTRODUCTION

The British East India Company (British EIC) came to Penang after the Sumatran Malays had arrived in Penang prior to 1734. These early Sumatran settlers opened Penang. They settled in Kg Batu Uban. Land cultivation extended to Tanjong Penaga (renamed George Town by the British EIC). Masjid Jamek Batu Uban in Penang was built in 1734 and Masjid Tengkera in Malacca was built in 1728. Both mosques were built by the same person - Hj Muhammad Salleh bin Tuanku Betis Nan Sebatang, a Sumatran prince from Istana Pagarruyung in West Sumatra. Therefore, it is incorrect to say that Captain Francis Light discovered or opened Penang. The British EIC came to Penang more than 50 years after the founding of Penang by Hj Muhammad Salleh @ Nakhoda Nan Intan.

============== 1 ===============

CAPTAIN FRANCIS LIGHT 1740-1794

===============================

Captain Francis Light arrived in Penang in 1786. He was a young man in the British East India Company based in Penang (1786-1794). He had negotiated a trading post with Kedah's Sultan Muhammad Jiwa and managed to obtain a piece of land upon which Fort Cornwallis was later built. Light School was built by the sea in his honour.

Penang was infested with mosquitoes and malaria was rampant. A cure for malaria was unknown then. The Malays consume buah kuinin (quinine fruit) to protect themselves against malaria. However, the Europeans did not know of this and they died of malaria. Unfortunately, Light too died of malaria in Penang.

Light is laid to rest at the Protestant Cemetery in George Town, Penang, not far from where his fleet landed at Tanjong Penaga - near Fort Cornwallis and Light School. The cemetery is not well cared for and the graves have been left to rot in the humid weather and salty seabreeze of Penang.

Light was already deceased when Shaik Ahmad arrived to work in Penang circa 1860s.

=========== 2 ==========

PENANG GARDENS 1786

=======================

Penang Gardens was established in 1786. Among the plants which were cultivated here included nutmeg and cloves, both which require the seabreeze for successful growth.

In 1794, the British EIC employed Christopher Smith, a botanist trained at Kew Gardens, to establish spice gardens at Ayer Itam and Sg Keluang.

========== 3 ============

JAMES SCOTT 1746-1808

========================

James Scott was the trading partner of Captain Francis Light in Penang. He acquired Light's estate when Light passed away in 1794.

His company was Scott & Company.

James Scott became the largest landowner in Penang after he acquired Light's estate.

Six years after Light died in 1794, David Brown arrived in Penang in 1800. James Scott then partnered with David Brown, his village friend. Their company was Brown, Scott & Company.

In 1808, James Scott was heavily investing in the James Town project at Sg Kluang - opposite Pulau Jerejak. He had believed that the place would be earmarked for a naval base by the British Government. Alas! The intended project failed as a naval base was created by the sea at Sg Glugor in Glugor instead of Sg Kluang in James Town (now Bayan Lepas).

James Scott lost in his investments, and was declared a bankrupt.

James Scott passed away in 1808.

As business partner, David Brown took over the business of the Scott, Brown & Co, when James Scott died. He acquired James Scott's estate and renamed the company Brown & Co. David Brown then became the largest landowner in Penang.

========== 4 ============

DAVID BROWN 1778-1825

========================

David Brown was born in 1778. He was a Scotsman. He was from Longformacus, a small village in Berwickshire, Scotland. He was from the same village as James Scott.

David Brown studied law in Edinburgh and arrived in Penang in 1800 and aged 22 years old.

Edinburgh

In Penang, David Brown went into business with his fellow Scotsman, James Scott. David Brown was a partner in Scott & Company.

In 1806, David Brown established Spice Gardens in the area of Sg Gelugor - an area between Tg Kudin's House, TESCO, the Malayan Teachers' College (MTC) and Minden Heights, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) today.

David Brown had used capital borrowed from Scott and other friends to clear a part of the hillside at Gelugor* for pepper and nutmeg planting. Along side this he experimented with new commercial crops.

*Glugor (Gelugor) is approximately 8 km from George Town.

However, James Scott died in 1808 - 2 years after Spice Gardens was created and 8 years after David Brown's arrival in Penang.

David Brown acquired James Scott's estate when James Scott died. David Brown then became the largest landowner in Penang.

David Brown was a pioneer nutmeg planter in Penang. Together with his eldest son George Wilson Brown (Nonia Ennui's son), they planted many nutmeg trees (about 6,000 trees) in Glugor - possibly on the slopes between Signal Hill and Minden Barracks.

David Brown died on 12 Sept 1825 while on board the ship H.C.S. Windsor Castle, on his way to Malacca.

After David Brown died in 1825, the numerous nutmeg trees started bearing fruits in 1836. His eldest son George Wilson Brown died in 1946. His second son David Wardlow Brown enjoyed the benefit of possessing 10,000 Sterling pounds a year - a huge sum in those days (ref: NST 15 Nov 1993).

Though David Brown was best remembered as a nutmeg planter in Penang, he was a philanthropist. He donated 12 acres of land at Dato Kramat Road to the local municipality. The place is known as Padang Brown (Padang Datuk Kramat). It is bordered by Johore Road, Datuk Kramat Road, Perak Road and Anson Road. It was once popular for football matches, but is now popular as a food court. Johore Road is now popular hawker centre. There is David Brown memorial at the corner of Anson Road and Perak Road. This memorial was previously at the centre of Padang Brown, but was moved to the corner.

From The Early Malay Doctors blog:
http://theearlymalaydoctors.blogspot.my/2012/08/david-brown.html?m=1

========= 5 ========

GELUGOR, PENANG

===================

In the 1960s-1970s, Gelugor was largely a lush jungle with big tall trees. Roads were narrow but passable by little cars. There was a Malay village by the sea - Kg Sg Gelugor, before land reclamation was done. The village is still extant in 2017. There is a mosque in the village of Sumatran Rawa settlers - ie, Masjid Sg Gelugor. The Rawa village is behind the mosque. There was an army base with wooden barracks by the sea, which was then occupied by a Malay primary school. There was a British military camp on initially Bukit Jenaton (which then became Minden hills). The rest of Gelugor was dense jungle thickets.

Pulau Jerejak could be viewed from Gelugor - from Signal Hill (Bukit Pemancar) or Signal Crescent (Lengkok Pemancar).

================== 6 ================

BROWN & GLUGOR ESTATES IN PENANG

====================================

The British East India Company arrived in Penang in 1786. Then David Brown arrived in Penang in 1800. Then the Brown family was involved with business in Penang. The Brown family owned Brown Estates on Penang island, which included Glugor Estate.

Brown Estates:

1. Glugor Estate - part of it is now USM and Kg Buah Pala
2. Brown Garden - residential area in Gelugor
3. Brown Garden - football playground and food court in Jalan Datuk Kramat, George Town
4. Brown Road
5. Snake Temple
6. Strawberry Hill - part of Penang Hill

Painting of Brown's Glugor Estate in Penang. From Penang Museum. The island in the background at right is Pulau Jerejak. The big building overlooking the sea could be the old Chancellory at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Minden Campus in Penang.

================== 7 ================

BROWN GENEALOGY

====================================

Brown family members included:

1. David Brown (1778-1825, aged 47) - father of 5 sons and a daughter, by his 4 wives.
2. Laurie Brown (c.1850-1931, aged 80+)  
3. JG Brown (c.1860 - deceased 1926, aged 66). 
4. David Alexander Murray Brown/Mr DAM Brown (1871-1936, aged 65).

David Brown had 5 sons and a daughter by many ladies:

1. Nonia Ennui (Chinese lady) - 2 kids - George Wilson Brown (born 1805) and Sophia Brown (born 1806).
2. Inghoo (Indian lady) - 1 son 
3. Javanese Malay lady - 1 son
4. Burmese lady - 1 son
5. Eurasian lady - 1 son

David Brown's 5 sons:

1. First son: George Wilson Brown (1805 - 1846). He helped his father with the spice cultivation. and expanded acreage for spice cultivation. He died of fever in Penang Harbour. He may have died young due to his hard work in the nutmeg plantation. He pioneered the nutmeg industry with his father. 
2. Second son: David Wardlaw Brown (born 1812 - died 26 Sept 1864). He married Magaret Turnbull Tait.
3. Third son: Forbes Scott Brown (1818 - 1874). Forbes Scott Brown, Esq. of Longformacus, Berwickshire, Scotland. Classmate of James Richardson Logan. He was appointed as Member of the Legislative Council of the Strait Settlements on 17 March 1868 by the Queen of Britain and India. Died on 28 May 1874 at the age of 56. He is buried at the Protestant Cemetery, Penang. 
4. Fourth son: Alexander Stuart Brown (10 Dec 1818 - 12 Feb 1857). He is buried at the Protestant Cemetery, Penang. 
5. Fifth son: John James Erskine Brown (1820 - 1895). He was a merchant in Penang.

David Brown's grandchildren:

Children of Forbes Scott Brown (13 children):

1. David Alexander Murray Brown or D.A.M Brown (1871-1938?). He was active in the local community. He was a Penang Juror in 1904; General Manager of Pinang Gazette Press in Penang; secretary of Penang Club and later President in 1913, 1915,1917,1921 and 1931. He was an avid golf player, and won the first Strait Championship in 1894, and continued to win four straight wins from 1894-1897, and in 1908. He was also a partner of an accounting firm. He was a fellow of the Royal Colonial Institute. 
2. Laurie Brown (c.1850 - died in 1930/31, aged 80+) – youngest son.
3. Fourth daughter - Sarah Holdway Brown (died in 1931), South Australia. She married to Sir John Alexander Cockburn, MD, KCMG (23 Aug 1850 - 26 Nov 1929) on 13 May 1875. He was the Premier of South Australia from 27 June 1889 to 18 Aug 1890. Sir John Alexander Cockburn was the first doctor to be the premier of South Australia. She was the founders and first President of National Council of Woman of South Australia. The inaugural meeting was held in Sept 1902 (ref: Ever Yours, CH Spence; by Catherine Helen Spence, Susan Magarey, Barbara Wall, Maryan Beams, Mary Lyons, page 198). 

Great-granddaughter of David Brown:

David Alexander Murray Brown's (D.A.M. Brown) only daughter is Helen Margaret Brown.

1. Helen Margaret Brown (H. M. Brown, died in Dec 1964). She was the last owner of Brown & Co, who sold the Gelugor Estate to Arumugam Pillai. Helen Margaret Brown was the one who gave away the land at Kg Buah Pala to a housing trust under her name for the Tamil workers of the company. Currently the land deal of the location has become a top issue in the State of Penang, where the land has been sold by the State. She was also involved in the legal dispute with other family members of the Brown Family on 31 January 1924 (ref: NST). Note: She inherited the land at Kg Buah Pala in 1938 - as dated in the land title transfer. 

Others possibly related to David Brown:

1. Serge Negus, also known as Serge Cockburn, is a descendant of David Brown. He played Crocodile Dundee's son in the third Crocodile Dundee movie. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0168303/ He is descended from David Brown via his mother, who is the great granddaughter of Sir John Alexander Cockburn and Sarah Holdway Brown.
2. John Robertson Brown. He was a Penang juror in 1904, and an assistant in David Brown & Co, Glugor. 
3. Lawrence Coombe Brown - legal battle with Helen Brown 
4. Edmund Brown - he was mentioned in the book (ref: Ever Yours).

=============== 8 ================

MR J. GEORGE BROWN (birth-1926)

=================================

Mr JG Brown was the general manager Brown, Phillips and Stewart (1894-September 1926) but had passed away in September 1926. Mr DAM Brown replaced him as general manager of Glugor Estate(s) in September 1926.

Shaik Ahmad could have worked for Mr JG Brown - general manager of Brown, Phillips and Stewart (1894-September 1926).

=============== 9 ============

MR D. A. M. BROWN 1871-1936

=============================

David Alexander Murray Brown (D. A. M. Brown) was born in 1871. He was educated at Harrow and Trinity Hall at Cambridge University, England, where he was Captain of the University's Golf Club in 1891. He returned to Penang (undated) and entered the Perak Civil Service (undated), but resigned in 1894.

In 1901, he was the Secretary of the Town Club. In 1908, he was the Secretary of the Penang Turf Club and Golf Club. He was later President of both clubs.

He ventured into private business, where he co-founded Brown, Phillips and Stewart and served as a Senior Partner.

He suffered from pleurisy and succumbed to pneumonia. He died on 28 April 1935 at 10 am in Penang. He left behind his widow and 3 daughters.

===================== 10 ====================

BROWN GARDEN & HELEN BROWN 1960s - 1970s

===========================================

There was mention of Brown Garden and Helen Brown in the 1960s.

Brown Garden had met with problems pertaining to landownership, but details are not available at the time of this writing.

When I was a primary schoolgirl attending Sultanah Asma Primary School (Standard 1-3) in Alor Star, Kedah and visited my grandfather on weekends who lived on Lengkok Pemancar, I heard of "problems" regarding Brown Garden, which was near to my grandfather's land. Apparently, the hill slopes between my grandfather's land and Brown Garden were good for rambutan trees. In 1965-1970s, fruiting rambutan trees filled the slopes of Lengkok Pemancar down to Brown Garden in the valley below. At the time, Brown Garden was visibly filled with "big trees and green foliage" when viewed from the road outside my grandfather's house.

---------------------
USEFUL LINKS

1st Regt. of Bengal (1861)

• 1861 - 1st Regt. of Bengal Cavalry.
• Uniform - The yellow mess jacket and black waistcoat of the old 1st Bengal Lancers was adopted by the 1922 regiment of Skinner's Horse and was the cold weather mess dress until 1939. All six of these various uniforms are in the collection of the National Army Museum.
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_Horse_(Skinner%27s_Horse)

Luscombe, Stephen; Griffin, Charles. "Land Forces of the British Empire: 1st Bengal Lancers (Skinner's Horse)".
http://www.britishempire.co.uk/forces/armyunits/indiancavalry/skinners.htm

Regiments of the British Colonial Army - British Indian Army
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:British_colonial_regiments

Uniform of the British Army, Hyderabad
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/322218548313180169/

British Indian Army, 3rd Cavalry Hyderabad Contingent

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/575264552386001643/

Governors of Penang
http://dictionnaire.sensagent.leparisien.fr/Governor%20of%20Penang/en-en/

Governors of the Straits Settlements
http://www.penang-traveltips.com/governors-of-the-straits-settlements.htm

John Sjovald Hoseason Cunyngham-Brown
http://penangmonthly.com/article.aspx?pageid=2932&name=the_swashbuckling_municipal_president_of_penang

John George Brown
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_George_Brown

Mr JG Brown of Glugor Estate, Penang
http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/issue/maltribune19260918-1

NEW ESTATE MANAGER
Malaya Tribune, 18 September 1926, Page 6
Penang, September 17.
Mr D A M Brown has been appointed general manager of Glugor Estate vice the late Mr J G Brown.
http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/maltribune19260918-1.2.30

1910. Brown, D. A. M., Glugor, Penang,
https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.7737/2015.7737.Journal-Of-The-Malayan-Branch-The-Royal-Asiatic-Society-Vol-vi-1928_djvu.txt

DEATH OF MR. D. A. M. BROWN
Malaya Tribune, 29 April 1935, Page 12
David Alexander Murray Brown (DAM Brown) was born in 1871.
He was the eldest son of Mr David Brown.
He was educated at Harrow and Trinity Hall, Cambridge,
where he was Captain of the University's Golf Club in 1891.
He returned to Penang ___ and entered the Perak Civil Service.
However, he resigned in 1894 and ventured into private business.
He was Senior Partner of Brown, Phillips and Stewart which he helped founded.
In 1901, he was the Secretary of the Town Club.
In 1908, he was the Secretary of the Penang Turf Club and Golf Club.
He suffered from __ and died on 28 April 1935 in Penang.
He left behind his widow and 3 daughters.
http://malayan-b-m-d.blogspot.my/2017/04/david-alexander-murray-brown-d-m-brown.html

David Brown (1778-1825) was a pioneer nutmeg planter in Penang.
He passed away while on a ship to Malacca.
http://teochiewkia.blogspot.my/2009/07/david-brown.html

Details of Brown Estates and the Brown Family
http://teochiewkia.blogspot.my/2009/07/david-brown.html?m=1

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Tok Nadhok

Datin Hajjah Wan Norseha bt Wan Nordin is the eldest sister of 12 siblings, including Wan Nuruddin Wan Nordin @ Ayah Wan Nordin Merican in Facebook (he is deceased)

The Nordin Merican family are the third generation descended from Tok Nadhok @ Datuk Keramat of Penang, a famed Indian Muslim in the British military police that arrived in Penang.



The 5th and 6th generations of Tok Nadhok exist today. The Tok Nadhok family reunion is being planned sometime in May 2014 or later. Interested family members can contact Ayah Wan in FB for more details. (He is deceased in 2016.)

Datuk Keramat is also the location of the famed tin smelting company of early Penang and where the tram lines ran from there to the pier at Weld Quay.

Datuk Keramat is interred at the Muslim cemetery in Jalan Perak, adjacent to Kampung Dodol. The next nearest mukim is Jelutong, which is nearer to the sea.

A photo of Tok Nadhok is with the Penang Museum and in the FB of Malek Alhabshi (nama dalam tulisan Jawi).

Malek runs the Ben's Antique Toy Museum in Lebuh Aceh, in front of Masjid Melayu Aceh. He also has the Mohamedan Book that details the activities of the early Muslims in Penang. The book will be passed on to Ayah Wan, who will make copies for interested families. (Malik has made a copy for me, but I have not gone to pick it up from him.)

According to Ayah Wan, Tok Nadhok had a masjid on the site of the present Masjid Kapitan Keling. Nordin Merican then expanded the masjid and named it after his elder brother (Kader Merican), as Masjid Kapitan Keling. Despite this, all the imams of Masjid Kapitan Keling till today, are the descendants of Tok Nadhok.

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Descendants of Tok Nadhok

Tok Nadhok's daughter is Sona Bee. Sona Bee's daughter is Siti Kalthum.

Siti Kalthum's eldest son is Aladdin Merican Noordin. At the time her husband was Mashurdin Merican Noordin (MM Noordin).

From Ayah Wan Merican Noordin in Facebook (May 2014): Aladdin Merican Noordin adalah anak sulong Siti Kalthum. Semasa itu, suaminya adalah Mashurdin Merican Noordin (MM Noordin) https://www.facebook.com/wanmericannoordin

1. The Merican doctors' families

The Merican family includes an early Malay doctor, Dr Ali bin Othman Merican (Dr AO Merican) and his 2 doctor sons - Dr Carleel Merican and his half-brother Dr Ezanee Merican. All 3 Merican doctors moved from Penang to work in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. Dr AO Merican passed away and is buried at the royal graves at Langgar in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. Dr Carleel Merican passed away in Malacca. Dr Ezanee Merican passed away in PJ and is interred at Sg Buloh.

2. Wan Nordin Merican families

There are 12 siblings. Datin Hajjah Wan Norsiha bt Wan Nordin, Ayah Wan Merican Noordin, and his siblings are descended from Tok Nadhok. Datin's daughter is Dina Sujak in Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/dina.sujak

3. Malek Alhabshi

He owns Ben's Antique Toy Museum in front of Masjd Melayu Aceh in Penang.
https://www.facebook.com/max.ben.5

4. Dr Che Lah's families

Ayah Wan Merican Noordin called on 31 January 2014 (CNY). He said he found the family tree of my mother. According to him, my mother was descended from Tok Nadhok @ Datuk Keramat of Jalan Perak in Penang. My mother's father is Dr Che Lah bin Md Joonos, an early Malay doctor from Glugor in Penang. He was born at home in Jalan Jelutong, Jelutong, in Penang. Dr Che Lah and wife are interred at the graves of Masjid Sg Gelugor. The mosque is some distance (10 minutes' walk) from his clinic, Glugor Klinik.

5. Pak Zan's families

Arwah Pak Zan (suami arwah Safura bt Mohd Yusope @ Bik Wa) and his children are NOT descended from Tok Nadhok.
https://www.facebook.com/baizura.mohdzan
https://www.facebook.com/mastura.mohdzan
https://www.facebook.com/Capt.Shawalludin
https://www.facebook.com/kamarulakhir

6. Zanariah's family

Zanariah Ahmad (cousin of Ayah Wan Merican Noordin and Baizura) is NOT the descendant of Tok Nadhok.
https://www.facebook.com/zanariah.ahmad.90

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CD Ismail

C. D. Ismail

Siapa dia CD Ismail?

• CD Ismail was Dr Che Lah's immediate neighbour at 355-A Lengkok Pemancar, Glugor, Penang.
• CD Ismail is Dr Che Lah's cousin.
• CD Ismail is a cousin of Cpt Md Noor.
• CD Ismail married Shariffa Zubaida, Dr SM Baboo's niece.
• CD Ismail had 4 children: Hjh Mariam Zamani, Datuk Dr Zulkifli, Zeid and Zaharah.
• CD Ismail's son is Datuk Dr Zulkifli Ismail. Both are deceased.

Siapa dia Dr S. M. Baboo?

• Dr SM Baboo married Tunku Rahimah, anak governor Satun, Siam (now Thailand)

Siapa dia Tunku Kudin/Ku Din Ku Meh?

• Governor Satun, Siam (now Thailand)

Siapa dia Rehman?

• CD Ismail's cousin is Rehman.
• Lady Rehman is the wife of Sir Dr Kamil Ariff bin Kader Mastan.

Which Malay doctors were from Penang?

Dr SM Baboo, Dr Kamil Ariff, Dr Che Lah Md Joonos were early Malay doctors from Penang. Dr Baboo and Dr Kamil Ariff served in Penang. Dr Che Lah served in KL, Malacca, Pahang and PD.

A close friend of the three doctors was Dr Abdul Aziz bin Omar. Dr Abdul Aziz was from Jelutong, Penang, but moved to work in Kelantan.

From Facebook, 16 October 2016:

Mohd Aiyub Mohd Aziz Prof, can contact Zeid Ismail who is the younger brother of Dr. Zul or their eldest sister Mariam Zamani Ismail.

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Unveiling Ceremony of Captain Francis Light Memorial at Fort Cornwallis 3Oct1939

• Captain Francis Light landed in Penang on 17 July 1786 
• Captain Francis Light took illegal possession of Penang on 11 August 1786
• King George III of Britain
• British East India Company
• 58 souls in Penang in 1786

• Sir Shenton Thomas, Governor
• Captain Mohamed Noor bin Shaik Ahmad, MBE
• Dato' Hj Mohd Noor b. Mohamed, DSPN, JSM, DJN, PJK, ED, JP 
• Dr Ong Huck Chye
• Bengal marines and lascars 
• Unveiling of Captain Francis Light memorial at Fort Cronwallis by Sir Shenton Thomas on 3 October 1939

SIR SHENTON CONDEMNS RUMOUR-MONGERS
"Profiteers In Men's Souls"
The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 4 October 1939, Page 4

A strong condemnation of rumour-mongers, whom he described as profiteers in men's souls, was uttered by the Governor, Sir Shenton Thomas, in the course of a speech when he performed the unveiling ceremony at Fort Cornwallis yesterday of the memorial erected to Capt. Francis Light, founder of Penang.*

*It should be noted that most Penang people do not believe that Captain Francis Light 'founded Penang' as there were Minangkabau Malays who settled at Kg Batu Uban and the clan founder, Hj Muhammad Saleh built Masjid Batu Uban in 1734 AD. This was before Captain Francis Light landed in Penang and took Penang illegally for the British East India Company.

The stock-in-trade of the rumour-monger, the Governor said, was alarm and despondency, which he sold at the highest price of all, the price of happiness.

Emphasizing that the best way to maintain public confidence in the present emergency was to tell the people the truth. Sir Shenton said: "There has never been since the outbreak of the the war a single moment when it has seemed that the peace of Malaya might be disturbed. If such  moment should come you will be told, fully and frankly. I believe that the best way to maintain pubic confidence is to tell people the truth.

Several thousands gathered at Fort Cornwallis to witness the ceremony performed by the Governor. Sir Shenton arrived at 5.30 p.m. and was gievn a royal salute by a guard of honour composed of Indian soldiers and the local Volunteers. Following the inspection of the guard of honour by the Governor, Mr A. M. Goodman, the British Resident, thanked His Excellency for consenting to unveil the memorial.

Opening his speech Sir Shenton said: "We are here today to pay tribute to one of the pioneers of Empire. Captain Francis Light, who landed here 153 years ago, on the 17th. of July, 1786, and three weeks later, on the 11th. of August, formally took possession of this island in the name of His Majesty King George III. Thus Penang became a British Colony and ever since, the soil of the island has been British soil and the flag that has been hoisted each day has been the British Flag.

"It has been said that if Light had not taken the first step by the founding of Penang, British Malaya would never have existed. It may be so. Certain it is that, when he landed here, there were no British colonies or trading posts in the Straits of Malacca. Penang island, as Light himself said, was 'a vast jungle with a population of only 58 souls.'

FREEDOM AND JUSTICE

"At the time of his death, no more than eight years after his first landing, the island had become a prosperous settlement of 20,000 people of British, Malay, Indian, Chinese and other races.

"Light, as a builder of Empire, had vision, courage, and determination, and these are precisely the qualities that are being so severely tried today. We are paying tribute to him at a time when the freedom of this island is being threatened, when defeat will mean that the British Flag will disappear and the people of Penang will live in fear, not daring even to talk freely to their friends. I know that I speak for all of you when I say that there shall be no defeat, but I say also that there is need today for each one of us to show that he too has the qualities of our founder, courage to face the difficulties and the sacrifices of war, determination to overcome every obstacle until victory is achieved, and vision to see that out of tribulation can come great happiness -- only we have the faith to work for it. In these days we are all builders of Empire, a united people inspired by the ideals of freedom and justice, to make the world a better place for others and ourselves.

"Some of you may say." Sir Shenton went on, "that these are mere words, that the war is far away, and that there can be no difficulties, no sacrifices, no tribulations that will affect you very much. You are wrong. War on such a scale as this affects every nation in the world and the people of Malaya will, I am sure, face cheerfully and resolutely whatever it may bring.

HELP READILY

"You may say that the help which you can give is so small as not to be worth considering. Again I say you are wrong. Make it your business to help others who are more badly hit than you are, undertake readily any duty that may be required of you, always remember how fortunate you are and that men in other parts of the world are giving all they have, even their lives, to keep you safe. And above all, do not listen to rumour.

"Two thousand years ago a poet wrote of horrid rumour, flying to and fro throughout the world, putting fear into men's lives. There is the same danger today. The rumour-monger is a profiteer in men's souls: his stock-in-trade is alarm and despondency, which he sells at the highest price of all, the price of happiness. As such he is a menace to the State and he cannot be tolerated.

"In less than a month since the outbreak of war," the Governor continued, German shipping has been swept from the seas and the submarine peril is under control. My wife and I came up here as comfortably and safely as in time of peace.

DEFENDERS OF ISLAND

"When Captain Light first landed here, he brought with him a tiny force of Bengal marines and a few lascars. They were the first defenders of Penang. They formed the guard at the hoisting of the Union Jack. It is not appropriate, then, that the defenders of Penang today should be men of the great Indian Empire and men of our own?

"What could be more fitting than that the guard of honour at this ceremony should be furnished by an Indian regiment and by local Volunteers? To defend the heritage which Light bequeathed, the men of India and the men of Penang stand side by side today, just as they stood by his grave more than 150 years ago, just as they will stand in the front line of battle if the need arises. We welcome Indian soldiers to Penang and we are proud to have them among us.

"And so", His Excellency concluded. "It is not only in gratitude to our founder for all that he has made possible for us, but also in the firm resolve to emulate his courage in time of stress, his determination to succeed, and his faith in the future, that I unveil this memorial to Captain Francis Light on behalf of the citizens of Penang."

Honours were presented by Sir Shenton at the conclusion of his speech as follows: the O.B.E to Capt. Mohamed Noor and Certificate of Honour to Dr Ong Huck Chye. Long service medals were presented to certain police constables, and St. John Ambulance, first aid awards to successful Volunteers.

Dato' Hj Mohd Noor, DSPN, JSM, DJN, PJK, ED, JP, elder brother of Dr Abdul Ghani bin Mohamad.

Penang Free School, the PFS magazine 1982 that has a photo of Dato' Hj Mohd Noor.

He was as Chairman, Board of Governors, PFS

Penang Museum

Unveiling of Light statue at Fort Cornwallis, George Town, Penang in 1939

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Daisy Catherine's parents - Fredrick W Bulner and Emma F Krasse

Kandy St. Paul's Church Births/Baptisms 1822-40 (D)

DAVIES
(Births/Baptisms St Paul’s Church Kandy Ceylon Sri Lanka)
Anne daughter of John Davies Private HM 78th Regt the Highlanders and a native woman

DAVIS
(Births/Baptisms St Paul’s Church Kandy Ceylon Sri Lanka)
John son of John Davis Private HM 78th Regt the Highlanders and a native woman

------------
Kandy St. Paul's Church Births/Baptisms 1845-75 (K)

KRASSE
(Marriages & Births/Baptisms St Paul’s Church Kandy Ceylon Sri Lanka)
Ada Margaret Ellen daughter of James Jordan Krasse and Charlotte Margaret

KRASSE
(Marriages & Births/Baptisms St Paul’s Church Kandy Ceylon Sri Lanka)
William son of Robert Henry Krasse and Margaret

------------
Kandy St. Paul's Church Births/Baptisms/Marriages 1877-1901 (B)

BULNER
(Births/Baptisms St Paul’s Church Kandy Ceylon Sri Lanka)
Charles Frederick Austin son of Laurence Peter Bulner

BULNER
(Births/Baptisms St Paul’s Church Kandy Ceylon Sri Lanka)
Francis Ackland son of Laurence Peter Bulner

BULNER
(Births/Baptisms St Paul’s Church Kandy Ceylon Sri Lanka)
Henry Edgar Crofton son of Laurence Peter Bulner

BULNER
(Births/Baptisms St Paul’s Church Kandy Ceylon Sri Lanka)
James Bertram son of Chitwind Baker and Josephine Agnita his wife

BULNER
(Births/Baptisms St Paul’s Church Kandy Ceylon Sri Lanka)
Jane Catherine daughter of L. P. Bulner and Jane Maria

BULNER
(Births/Baptisms St Paul’s Church Kandy Ceylon Sri Lanka)
John Richard Arthur son of Laurence Peter Bulner

BULNER
(Births/Baptisms St Paul’s Church Kandy Ceylon Sri Lanka)
John Walter son of L. P. Bulner and Jane Maria

BULNER
(Births/Baptisms St Paul’s Church Kandy Ceylon Sri Lanka)
William Frederick son of Laurence Peter Bulner

- this William Frederick may/may not be my great-grandfather; my great-grandfather was born in 1872, in another account.

------------------------------
Kandy St. Paul's Church Births/Baptisms/Marriages 1877-1901 (K)

KRASSE
(Births/Baptisms St Paul’s Church Kandy Ceylon Sri Lanka)
Agnes Margaret daughter of Cecil Oliver Krasse

KRASSE
(Births/Baptisms St Paul’s Church Kandy Ceylon Sri Lanka)
Arthur Lionel son of Henry Alfred Krasse and Sarah Henrietta his wife

KRASSE
(Births/Baptisms St Paul’s Church Kandy Ceylon Sri Lanka)
Charles son of James Krasse and Charlotte his wife

KRASSE
(Births/Baptisms St Paul’s Church Kandy Ceylon Sri Lanka)
Evangeline Grace daughter of Henry Alfred Krasse and Sarah Henrietta his wife

KRASSE
(Births/Baptisms St Paul’s Church Kandy Ceylon Sri Lanka)
Henrietta Mercia daughter of Henry Alfred Krasse and Sarah Henrietta his wife

KRASSE
(Births/Baptisms St Paul’s Church Kandy Ceylon Sri Lanka)
James Alexander Julius son of James Jordan Krasse and Charlotte Margaret his wife

KRASSE
(Births/Baptisms St Paul’s Church Kandy Ceylon Sri Lanka)
Katharine Harriet daughter of James John Krasse and Charlotte Margaret his wife

KRASSE
(Births/Baptisms St Paul’s Church Kandy Ceylon Sri Lanka)
Lawrence St George son of James Jordan Krasse and Charlotte Margaret his wife

KRASSE
(Births/Baptisms St Paul’s Church Kandy Ceylon Sri Lanka)
Otillie Agnes Matilda daughter of James Jordan Krasse and Charlotte Margaret his wife

KRASSE
(Births/Baptisms St Paul’s Church Kandy Ceylon Sri Lanka)
Sybilla Theodora Beatrice daughter James Gordon Krasse and Charlotte Margaret his wife

-----------------------
Kandy St. Paul's Church Births/Baptisms/Marriages 1901-1927 (B)

BULNER
(Births/Baptisms St Paul’s Church Kandy Ceylon Sri Lanka)
Ethel Maud Selina daughter of L. P. Bulner

BULNER
(Births/Baptisms St Paul’s Church Kandy Ceylon Sri Lanka)
Jessie Mildred daughter of L. P. Bulner

BULNER
(Births/Baptisms St Paul’s Church Kandy Ceylon Sri Lanka)
Katherine Daisy Gourey daughter of Frederick Joseph Bulner and Emma Frances Horatia his wife

• Katherine Daisy Gourey may not be Daisy Catherine de Coursey Bulner, my maternal grandmother.
• My grandmother's name is spelled Daisy Kathrine De Courcey.
• I spell my grandmother's name as Catherine.
• My grandmother Catherine was born in Kandy, British Ceylon on 5 March 1911.
• The name De Courcy/Decourcy/Decoursey etc is her godfather's family name.
• Her parents/may not be Frederick Joseph Bulner and Emma Frances Horatia Krasse.
• Her parents were Fredrick Bulner and Emma Francis Krasse. However, Francis is a male name; Frances is a female name.
• Catherine passed away in 1981 at age 70.

BULNER
(Births/Baptisms St Paul’s Church Kandy Ceylon Sri Lanka)
Lydia Eveline Winifred daughter of L. P. Bulner

Source: http://www.kabristan.org.uk/kabristan-indexes/sri-lanka-indexes/139-sri-lanka-formerly-ceylon-births-baptisms-indexes/ceylon-births-baptisms-sri-lanka-kandy/ceylon-births-baptisms-sri-lanka-kandy-1901-1927/1933-kandy-st-paul-s-church-births-baptisms-marriages-1901-1927-b

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Kg Sg Gelugor, Penang

Kg Sg Gelugor has an interesting history.

(1) Historical perspective of the Shaik Ahmad Clan in Kg Sg Gelugor

When Shaik Ahmad (Hyderabad & clan founder) came to Malaya in the British Indian Army, he lived in Butterworth and married, before coming to live in Glugor, Penang. I believe he had lived at Kg Sg Gelugor, a Malay coastal village. His youngest son, Cpt Mohamed Noor was born in 1890 in Glugor. Cpt Mohamed Noor's eldest daughter Zainab Bee was born in Kg Sg Gelugor. She went to school in Glugor.


(2) The Shaik Ahmad Clan mainly resided in Kg Sg Gelugor, Penang

On the rear of an old 1952 photo of Dr Che Lah, was written "Kg Sg Gelugor". This Malay coastal village is situated just across the main road from Cangkat Minden (Minden Heights). This village was by the sea at Gelugor before the 1960s/1970s/1980s, ie before land reclamation was done and before Penang bridge was built.

Dr Che Lah (up on the verandah) and his children visiting his eldest sister (Mak Besar Bee/Aunty Besar) in Kg Sg Gelugor 1952. Standing from left: Philip, Mami Tam (Mamitam), Esther, Daisy Yvette, Khala Wan Chik (Kalawan Chik) and June. Aunty Besar had 4 children - Abu Hassan, Khala Wan Chik (Kalawan Chik), Mami Tam (Mamitam) and Ibrahim (Naim).

(3) Descendants of Shaik Ahmad in Kg Sg Glugor, Penang

Shaik Ahmad (Hyderabad) married Hajar (Butterworth)

They had 6 kids:

1. Hamidah Bee

2. Jan Bee*

3. Mohd Joonos**

4. Mohd Ali

5. Mariam

6. Cpt Mohd Noor (born 1890, Glugor)

*Jan Bee bt Shaik Ahmad (Tok Jan) married Nasarudin

They had 5 kids:

1. Omar***

2. Mohd Ebram

3. Hashim (Tok Bar)

4. Daud

5. Makwan Bee

**Mohd Joonos bin Shaik Ahmad married Juma Bee bt Kassim

They had 5 kids:

1. Mak Besar Bee (Aunty Besar)****

2. Dr Che Lah

3. Ali Baba

4. Osman

5. Mohamad

***Omar bin Nasarudin married Mak Besar Bee bt Md Joonos****

They had 4 kids:

1. Abu Hassan

2. Khala Wan Chik (Kalawan Chik) ... elder sister

3. Wan Tam/Mami Tam (Mamitam) .... younger sister

4. Ibrahim/Naim

(4) Language spoken by the Shaik Ahmad Clan at a wedding in Kg Sg Gelugor, Penang

In 1978, my mother and I attended a wedding reception of Dr Che Lah's relatives at Kg Sg Gelugor. I heard the relatives spoke (what I think is) Urdu. I remember asking my mother what language they were speaking and she replied she didn't know. Her relatives spoke to her in English and invited us to eat lunch. I was a bit intimidated as I didn't know what language they were speaking and yet we were related. I am not a native Urdu speaker nor do I speak any Urdu. The relatives did not speak Arabic because I did not hear any Arabic words. It must have been Urdu. If the relatives spoke Urdu, then Dr Che Lah's grandfather must have been a northern Indian Muslim and not a southern Indian Muslim as southerners spoke Tamil.

I suspect that Dr Che Lah was of Punjabi descent. His female relatives had the Bee suffix in their names. His people were fluent Urdu speakers in 1978 (3rd and 4th generations). His people resided in Kg Sg Gelugor, across the road from his last residence in Minden Heights. The village and houses are extant (still there), but many of the original home owners may have passed on and modern kampung houses have replaced the olden wooden and rattan houses (rumah asal yang diperbuat daripada kayu dan rotan).

(5) Location, roadsigns and landmarks of Kg Sg Gelugor

On my return leg to Kelantan, we exited Minden Heights and I saw 3 old signboards in this village which were very close to the main road (Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah) that indicated this is Kg Sg Gelugor. I didn't take any photos of the signboards as Affandi drove too fast and I didn't have time to pull out my camera as I least expected to see the 3 signboards.

4-Junction of Minden Heights and Kg Sg Gelugor, viewed from Minden Jalan 1. 12 January 2013. The Malay village is beyond the traffic lights, closer to the sea and land reclamation for constructing the peripheral expressway. The Malay village is now land-locked by 2 modern expressways, and the villagers no longer have free access to the sea. 

A brick community hall of Kg Sg Gelugor is its landmark. Most old houses here are wooden. Modern houses have a brick base and a wooden upper floor. 12 January 2013

(6) Famous acar buah from Kg Sg Gelugor

The main delicacy of this Malay coastal village used to be chutney or fruit pickles (acar buah).

Back in 1982/83, when I was working at USM, Penang main campus, I lived with my parents in Minden Heights. I remember my mother told me about her father's female relative who made delicious acar buah.

My mother then ordered some acar buah from Kg Sg Gelugor. She went to pick up the acar buah herself. I tasted the pickles and they were delicious. We made a few orders. Later on I heard that the lady who made it had passed away. That was in 1982/83. Who was the lady who made delicious acar buah in Kg Sg Gelugor in the 1980s?


(7) Habib Noh's descendants in Kg Sg Gelugor

Apart from Shaik Ahmad descendants, Habib Noh's descendants also lived in Kg Sg Gelugor.

We went to visit Aunty Chom in Kg Sg Gelugor. Aunty Chom is Kalsom bt Shaik Emam. Aunty Chom is the elder sister of Aunty Intan - Kamaruddin's wife. She is the middle sister; Aunty Latifah is the eldest of the 3 sisters.

The 3 sisters are related to Azeeza Begam bt Habib Noohu, and all are descendants of the Muslim saint Habib Noh Alhabshi, who is buried at Makam Habib Noh in Singapore.

Aunty Chom, a very good storyteller of practices of traditional Malay medicine. She related the treatment of diabetic foot in Penang dialect, which was captivating to listen to.

Aunty Chom was cleaning rice grains when we visited her in the evening. Here, the spoiled rice grains and foreign matter are separated from the unspoiled rice grains. The spoiled rice grains are called "padi-padi" and are fed to birds in the garden. 

Sadly, Aunty Chom passed away on 4 January 2016. She is interred at Tanah Perkuburan Masjid Jamek Gelugor, which is near her home. Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rojiuun.

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Family Reunion 1975

I don't have the date of this birthday. It could be 10 December 1975. This was in my mother's house at 462-I, Cangkat Minden, Jalan 7. Gelugor, Penang.

From left: Aunty CK, nenek Penang, Farid, Dr Che Lah, Tulip (Mak) and Aminah

From left: Farid, aunty CK, nenek Penang (hidden), Rabi;ah, Dr Che Lah, Kamariah (anak angkat), Mak. and Aminah.

Seated from left: Dr Che Lah, Tulip (Mak) and Aminah.
Standing from left: Aunty CK, nenek Penang, Rabi'ah, Kamariah, Farid, Sharifah, and Amin.

Left arc: Dr Che Lah, nenek Penang, aunty CK, Farid, Kamariah and Rabi'ah..
Right arc: Amin, Sharifah, Aminah, and Tulip (Mak).

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Family Reunion 1976

I don't have the date of this birthday. It could be on 10 December 1976. This was in my grandfather's house next door, at 460-H Cangkat Minden, Jalan 7, Gelugor, Penang. Only three families were involved - my grandfather's family, his wife's sister, and my mother's family.

Dr Che Lah and granddaughter Aminah (born 1970)

From left: Rabi'ah, Sharifah, Kamariah, Dr Che Lah (datuk Penang), Tulip (Mak), Maria (nenek Penang), Aunty CK (adik nenek Penang), Amin and Farid (at rear).

From left: Aminah, Sharifah, Dr Che Lah, his wife nenek Penang, and Farid.

From left: Rabi'ah, Sharifah, Kamariah (anak angkat), Dr Che Lah, Tulip (Mak) with Aminah (little girl), nenek Penang, aunty CK, Farid and Amin.

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